S&A became the second Lancashire club to win the title, following in the footsteps of Formby, back-to-back winners in 2010 and 2011.

With a combined handicap of plus-three, Sean Towndrow finished on four-under-par 140, Daniel Creaney on 143 and Sean Blinkhorn on 144, level par.

“This is brilliant,” said Towndrow. “It’s a fantastic way to end the season and it’s nice to win it for our club. We came here with a decent team and we were quietly confident but we never got ahead of ourselves.

“We just went out and played but to finish under par is phenomenal. The course was in great condition but you have to drive well and putt well. Get those two things right and you post a good score.”

Towndrow confirmed his pedigree with a second successive 70 containing four birdies while Creaney had three birdies in his 73. Blinkhorn’s 74 was much more adventurous.

He eagled the 527-yard second hole, then triple-bogeyed the fifth only to bounce back with a birdie at six. However, the first of his four bogeys came at nine but he responded with further birdies at 13 and 14.

Cheshire club Heswall and Worksop, from Nottinghamshire, tied fourth

The best round of the day was produced by Heswall’s Oliver Carr, a 68 which equally the course record set in the first round by Minchinhampton’s Laurie Potter. Carr’s card contained a back nine of 32 for the second successive day.

But after an eagle-three at the 14th, he nearly came to grief at the par five 18th when his second shot finished behind bushes and three flag poles left of the green. Before he could get to his ball a lady pocketed it. Happily it was replaced and he chipped and putted to save his par.

As winners, the Southport & Ainsdale boys qualify for the European Champion Club Tournament in Bulgaria in late October and on this form you wouldn’t bet against them completing the double.